If the old family car is on its last legs and you’re looking for a new vehicle, even if the ‘junker’ has ceased to run entirely, you may still be able to sell it for a surprising amount of money. Rather than let an old car gather dust or spend lots of money on repairs, explore the different options you have for selling it. Here are a few different ways you can earn money off your family’s old junker.
If it’s in Working Condition:
Sell Your Working Junker with ‘Extras’
If your old car is still running, chances are good that someone, somewhere will buy it so long as you keep your asking price low enough. One way to incentivize potential buyers is to throw in extra materials to make up for the car’s poor condition. Common extras include owner’s manuals, paperwork from when you bought the car, spare keys, and more.
Make Additions before You Sell
To raise your potential profit, you might also consider sprucing your old car up a bit before selling. Make sure the interior is pristine and the exterior is thoroughly washed, and you may also consider installing new tires or snow tires. In addition, if the car has any additional features that you bought in the past, such as a new sound system or a LoJack, be sure to advertise these features to buyers.
Keep Ads Honest
Another key when selling an old vehicle is to be honest with your buyers. If there are issues like a broken AC or faulty sound system, let buyers know, and don’t overprice a vehicle that’s in bad condition. Being honest (and ideally including plenty of pictures) builds trust with potential buyers and makes them more likely to purchase.
If it’s Not Working:
Remove and Sell Easy-Access Parts
You’ll need to be handy with automobiles (or have a friend that is) but if you’re able to, consider dismantling the car and selling off easily-removed parts. Start with working components like tires, sound systems, axles, and seats. These parts will often be bought by car enthusiasts or mechanics, or you can sell them using the variety of online marketplaces for used car parts.
Sell Everything Else for Scrap
Once you’ve removed working and valuable parts, selling the rest of the car for scrap metal can earn you a bit of extra cash. Many businesses will buy scrap vehicles for prices of $100 or more a ton, and some companies, such as U Pull & Pay, will also help you with towing.
Whether your old family is car still runs or needs to be sold for parts and scrap, there’s money to be made off of it. Instead of letting it sit in your garage, advertise your car and sell it to a new owner, and if it’s completely out of commission, you can take it apart to sell the parts or sell the whole thing as scrap.
